Shelving structure for retail stores



SHELVING STRUCTURE FOR RETAIL STORES Fil ed Nov. 13, 1922 wmi 70 tron 3 I ZWI/ess: 7

. %W QM Patented Get. 14, 1924.

PATENT OFFICE.

JULIUS CYTRON, OF TULSA, OKLAHOMA.

SHELVING STRUCTURE FOR RETAIL STORES.

Application filed November 13, 1922. Serial No. 600,745.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, JULIUs CYTRoN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Tulsa, county of Tulsa, State of Oklahoma, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Shelving Structures for Retail Stores, of which the following is a complete specification.

The present invention relates to store equipment, and particularly to shelving furniture forming a part of such equipment, and aims to provide a convenient, portable and sanitary form of shelving for affording space not only for the goods to be placed on display, but also a reserve shelving space for storing goods above the shelves used for display purposes.

Accordingly, I have devised a shelving structure comprising a frame having both upper and lower sets of shelves making up a compact shelving unit carried by supporting rollers, whereby it may be conveniently moved into any desired location. A further feature of the invention comprises an improved construction and arrangement of screen material for protecting the goods to be placed on the shelving, while allowing convenient access thereto as often as desired.

With this general object in view, the invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawing illustrating one form of construction which I have de-- vised for embodying the proposed improvements, after which those features deemed to be novel will be particularly set forth and claimed.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a side view, partly broken away, illustrating a shelving construction embodying the present features of improvement;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view, representing a section taken on the line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view, partly broken away, and showing a section taken on the line III-III of Figure 2, but on a larger scale;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail View, showing a horizontal sectional portion of one of the front corners of the lower shelving; and

Figure 5 is a pers ective view of the same, but showing the inged screen-clamping member in open position.

Referring now to the drawing in detail,

this illustrates a shelving construction comprising a lower frame work 10 supported upon suitable rollers or casters 12 and formed with two sets of shelves 14 arrangedv back to back, that is, in such a manner that the goods (not shown) to be placed upon the shelves will be displayed in opposite directions. Shelving arranged in this manner is of a character adapted to be used in grocery stores or other retail shops of the self-service type where the goods are marked and displayed on shelves convenient of access to the purchaser. In the described construction, the lower shelves 14 are arranged at a level suitable for the appropriate display of the merchandise, as well as convenient of access to the prospective purchaser, who will help himself to the articles he desires to purchase and carry them with him to the checker for settlement, as is the usual practice in stores of this type.

Above the shelves 14 is arranged two sets of upper shelves 16, facing each other on opposite sides of a platform 17 located some distance above the topmost shelves 14 and below the lowermost shelves 16. At the top of the shelving 14, the framework 10 diverges somewhat upwardly, as illustrated in Figure 2, in the manner required for accominodating the two sets of upper shelving 16, the openings or entrances to which face each other for convenience of access to both sets of shelves 16 by a person mounting to the platform 17. Preferably, the height of the framework 10 and hence the level of the topmost shelves 16 is below that of the average shop ceiling, in order to permit of the desired movement of the shelving unit from point to point upon the floor, by means of the rollers 12. The framework 10 is also provided with suitable hinged panels or skirts 20 depending into proximity to the floor for preventing the collection of trash or refuse beneath the shelving structure, and also imparting a neater appearance thereto.

One end of the open space between the upper sets of shelves 16 is closed by means of a suitable door 22, and the opposite end of said space is closed by means of screen material 23, as clearly shown iii-Figures 1 and 2. An extension of screen material 24L is also provided, this extension projecting upwardly from the outer margin of the upper sets of shelves into close proximity to the ceiling, thus protecting the space within the upper sets of shelves against flies or other insects entering by way of the overhead space adjacent to the ceiling.

Similar screen protection is also provided for the lower sets of shelves 14, in the form of curtains 25 of suitable flexible screen material supported from rollers 26 carried by rods 27 mounted within compartments 28 between the topmost shelves 14 and the plat form 1,7, (see Figures 2 and 3). These rollers '26 are actuated by means of springs 29 in a manner adapted to maintain the curtains 25. normally in raised position for er;- posing the merchandise displayed upon the shelves :14. The curtains 25 may be maintained apposition for completely closing the shelves l lby means of hooks 3O projecting outward from the lowermost shelves 17 for engagement with the lower margins of the curtains; or in any desired-position by means of prongs 32 provided on the inner faces of a set of hinge members or leaves 33 at the ends of each set of shelving 14;. As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, these hinge leaves or members 33 are adaptedto be closed upon the side edgesof the curtains 25 for maintaining them in smooth engagement with the-framework 10 at the ends of-the shelves,

while the prongs '32 will engage'the screen material and prevent any upward imovement thereb'fnnderthe action of the rollers 26.

It will thus be apparent that the merchandis'e placed'upon'the lower shelving let will be appropriately displayedto patrons passi'ng'the structure, and also protected by the screen material from contamination from the outside. The same protection will be afio'rded goods on the upper shelves by means of the sc'reen'materi'al 23 and 24, and one of heimportant' advantages ofthe invention is the provision for storage of goo ls upon "shelving above the usual display shelves, by using this space above the latter shelves'which is" ordinarily not utilized, and hence storage space is ordinarily required and used at the rear of the store room or elsewhere. [By-means of the upper set of shelving, it'is proposed to use this otherwise 'wasted space for "storing the goods in a conveniently arranged and readily accessible manner, since by using a suitable ladder or flight of steps '35 for reaching the door 22 a clerk may readily mount to the platform 17 for either storing or removing the goods placed on the shelves 16. A compact shelving unit is thus provided, as many of which may be used as may be needed for giving the required display and storage capacity. It is also apparent that a minimum amount of space is required for the two sets of Shelv.

ing arranged as illustrated, and that each unit may be readily shifted, by virtue of its portable character, to any point of location upon the floor.

hat I claim is: .7

1. A structure of the character described comprising a frameworkprovided with supporting rollers and formed with two lower sets of shelves arranged 'back'tobac'k, a platform above said'shelves, and'two, upper'sets of shelves facing each other and accessible from opposite sides of said platform. 7

'2. A structure of the character described comprising a framework provided with'supporting rollers and formed with twolo'w'er sets of shelves arranged back to back, a platform above said shelves, two uppersets of shelves facing each other and acce'ssi'ble from opposite sides of said platform, and an extension of screen material projecting upwardly from the outer marin of said upper sets of shelves.

3. A structure'ofthe character described comprising a framework provided with su porting rollers and formed with two lower sets of shelves arrangedback to back, a platform above said shelves, two'upper sets of shelves facing each otherand accessible from opposite sides of said p'latform,"a door at one end of said'platform, screen'material forming a closure for the space between said upper sets of shelves at'the 'oppositeend of said platform, and an extension of screen material projecting upwardly from the'outer margin of said upper sets of shelve In witness whereof I hereunto afli'x "my signature.

JULIUS CYTRON. 

